Setting aside a few minutes for daily journaling each morning or at the end of the day creates a greater awareness of your actions, and what changes you would like to make. You may have noticed that you have an emotional response when dealing with your finances. As you define your “Money Nerve” and begin to see what makes you uncomfortable, quiet reflection each day provides you a powerful tool to become more proactive with your decisions.

This process of self-discovery is not easy. If it were, everyone would be debt free and have enough money in the bank to live comfortably. Facing your Money Nerve can be stressful and frightening. Let’s say at this point, you are fearful and not yet taking steps to make your life better. Are you willing to experience the fear and still push through it? Most people go toward change kicking and screaming. They may think there is less risk when they box themselves up and resist change. The environment around us is changing so quickly that adaptation is a necessity. Those who are willing to make changes by being honest and facing their emotions are the people who are moving toward success.

Taking an emotional inventory at the moment is the first step. This self-reflection helps you become aware of how you feel when you make financial decisions. If you are having difficulty figuring out how your Money Nerve affects your finances, use daily journaling to think back to moments during the day when you had to make a financial decision. Choosing to buy coffee for a friend or waiting to make a credit card payment may have triggered your Money Nerve. Ideally, you’ll start to note your emotions at the end of every day, as part of your mental mapping and reflection. Tips for starting a daily journal.

If it is hard for you to carve out time, try this strategy: When a client or friend is 15 minutes late or cancels their time with you, see that moment as “extra time” and use it to meditate or find a calm spot in your day. You can simply enjoy the quiet or jot down notes on how the day is going, and what you would like to see happen — by the end of the day. Are you making daily decisions based on fear or are you proactively forming decisions that can be accomplished with small conscious choices each day?

Be aware and make time to address the change you want to see in your life. Become responsiblefor your life, your finances, and your mental attitude. You are now making a choice to create change – now is a good time to purchase blank paper to reshape your life dreams with daily journaling! Want to learn more about easing your Money Nerve? You can receive a monthly newsletter with helpful tips and motivational guidelines to find your financial freedom.